>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF MINNESOTA PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," WE HAVE A HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY DEBATE THAT WILL FILL MUCH OF THE HOUR.

WE'LL ALSO TALK SPORTS WITH THE LYNX HEADING INTO WNBA PLAYOFFS WITH THE NUMBER ONE SEED.

AND MARY LAHAMMER CONTINUES HER RACES TO WATCH SERIES.

>> Mary: OUR NEXT RACE TO WATCH FEATURES AN AMBITIOUS INCUMBENT WITH A BIPARTISAN RESUME FACING A HIGH ENERGY CHALLENGER WHO SERVES ON CITY COUNCIL.

>> HE WASN'T RUNNING AGAINST ME.

>> I CALL IT THE PURPLE FRONTIER.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION, IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> ERIC: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

LET'S TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

BUDGET CUTTING NEWS OUT OF TWO BIG UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS THIS WEEK.

THE U OF M ANNOUNCED IT WILL CUT $225 MILLION ACROSS ALL FIVE OF ITS CAMPUSES.

THE REDUCTIONS WILL BEGIN NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

AND THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ALSO SOUNDED THE BUDGET ALARM, SAYING THEY LIKELY WILL HAVE TO CLOSE CAMPUSES AROUND THE STATE TO RESOLVE A BUDGET DEFICIT.

THE MINNESOTA LYNX HEADS INTO THE POST-SEASON WITH THE BEST RECORD IN THE WNBA AND WILL HAVE HOME COURT ADVANTAGE THROUGHOUT THE PLAYOFFS.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

DOCTORS AT ALLINA HEALTH'S MERCY AND UNITY HOSPITALS HAVE REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST CONTRACT BETWEEN THE UNION REPRESENTING THE DOCTORS AND THE HEALTH SYSTEM.

NOW, IF YOU TUNED IN TO SEE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY DEBATE, THAT WILL START IN JUST ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

WE'RE GOING TO START TONIGHT WITH THIS WEEK'S BIG NEWS OUT OF THE CAPITOL CITY.

ST.

PAUL POLICE CHIEF AXEL HENRY FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST MAYOR KAOHLY HER CLAIMING SHE SEXUALLY HARASSED HIM.

THE LEGAL ACTION COMES AFTER A CITY INVESTIGATION DETERMINED HER BEHAVIOR WAS INAPPROPRIATE BUT DIDN'T REACH THE LEVEL OF HARASSMENT.

THIS CAME IN THE SAME WEEK THAT THE CITY COUNCIL BEGAN WORK ON THE CITY BUDGET BY APPROVING A CAP ON A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

FRED MELO IS BACK.

HE COVERS ALL THINGS ST.

PAUL CITY HALL FOR THE ST.

PAUL "PIONEER PRESS."

>> THANKS.

>> Cathy: HI.

>> Eric: WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON?

>> OH, MY GOODNESS, THERE'S A LOT OF POLITICKING BACK AND FORTH.

THERE'S ALSO ACQUISITIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

IT'S KIND OF A 70-PAGE SUIT.

BUT THE POLICE CHIEF IS SAYING THAT THE MAYOR PUT HER HANDS ON HIS THIGH IN BUDGET MEETINGS.

THAT SHE HAD HER SCHEDULER KIND OF FORCE HIM INTO A SATURDAY NIGHT DATE.

AT A BAR.

IT WAS GOING TO BE AT MANCINI'S CHARHOUSE, BUT THEY DON'T SERVE THC DRINKS.

ARE WE COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS?

OR DO OU WANT TO JUST GO, WHICH HE TOOK TO MEAN RESIGN.

AND THINGS GOT PERSONAL.

THINGS GOT WEIRD.

HE'S GOING, 'M JUST RINKING SODA.

LIKE, DO YOU NEED A RIDE HOME BECAUSE THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE DEPUTY CHIEFS ARE UNIONIZING, THERE'S A BACK PAY ISSUE WHERE THE -- HOW THEIR BACK PAY GOT RECORDED IS WEIRD AND IT'S AFFECTING THEIR PENSION.

HE'S TRYING TO GET THAT RESOLVED.

SHE'S NOT BEING TOO HELPFUL.

SHE HAS A DRIVER THAT SHE WANTED 16 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, THAT'S VERY EXPENSIVE.

HE KIND OF OBJECTED TO THAT.

SHE SAID, FINE, I'LL HIRE THE RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO BE MY DETAIL.

THAT'S UNHEARD OF THAT THE ST.

PAUL MAYOR DOESN'T HAVE ST.

PAUL POLICE PROTECTING HER.

SO THERE SEEMS TO BE A BIG OVERLAP BETWEEN STUFF HAPPENING THAT'S PHYSICALLY INAPPROPRIATE AND STUFF HAPPENING THAT'S KIND OF POLITICAL.

>> Cathy: OUR MIC S NOT WORKING, YOUR IC IS NOT WORKING SO WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS, YOU LAID OUT THE 73-PAGE REPORT IS GOT A LOT OF -- SOME PRETTY EXPLOSIVE THINGS IN IT, RIGHT?

SOME SOMSOME EXPLOSIVE ALLEGATIONS.

YOU GOT TWO POWERFUL INDIVIDUALS, THE MAYOR AND THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE MAYOR IS THE CHIEF'S BOSS.

BUT STILL TWO PRETTY POWERFUL PEOPLE IN CITY HALL.

HOW DOES THIS POWER DYNAMIC THEN BE, HOW DO THE INTERACTIONS CHANGE AT CITY HALL BECAUSE OF ALL THIS?

>> THERE'S A PALPABLE QUESTION WHETHER THE TWO CAN CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER.

THE POLICE CHIEF IS IN A SITUATION WHERE YOUR PENSION IS DETERMINED BY YOUR THREE HIGHEST PAID YEARS.

WHEN HE BECAME HIEF, HE'S A NONUNIONIZED POSITION, HE TOOK A PAY CUT.

SO IF HE RETIRED TOMORROW HE'D GET A RAISE BECAUSE IT'S BASED ON THE THREE HIGHEST YEARS BEFORE HE BECAME CHIEF.

SO HE'S IN THIS WEIRD POSITION WHERE HE COULD ABSOLUTELY WALK.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RESPECT THE CHIEF.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR HER AND WANT TO SEE THINGS MOVE FORWARD.

CERTAINLY COMING OUT OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, THERE WAS A LOT OF TENSION THERE.

THERE WAS A BIG PROTEST ON ROSE AVENUE.

THAT PUT KIND OF PROTESTERS, PITTED THEM AGAINST THE POLICE.

SO KIND OF MOVING FORWARD, JUST TODAY, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SUED ST.

PAUL OVER, YOU KNOW, GUN ONTROL ISSUES.

SO MOVING FORWARD, WITHOUT HAVING THE MAYOR AND THE ST.

PAUL POLICE BEING ABLE TO EVEN BE IN THE SAME CAR, THAT'S WEIRD.

>> Cathy: IS HER JOB IN JEOPARDY?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE PROCESS TO ACTUALLY DO THAT?

>> YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A RECALL PETITION TO DO THAT.

I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANYONE ORGANIZING ONE.

I THINK THERE'S MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT ARE KIND OF QUIETLY ITCHING TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

KIND OF CONDEMNING SOME OF THIS ALLEGED BEHAVIOR.

EVERYONE'S INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

BUT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME SHE'S GOTTEN IN TROUBLE.

SHE HAD A RESTRAINING ORDER THAT SOMEBODY TRIED TO FILE AGAINST HER IN ANUARY, A FORMER FRIEND.

THERE'S BEEN ALLEGATIONS OF WRONGDOING AT THE STATE CAPITOL WHEN SHE WAS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND THROUGH MY OWN REPORTING, I FOUND IT WAS PRETTY COMMON FOR HER TO GO UP TO COWORKERS AND JUST GRAB THEM BY THE BACKSIDE, JUST IN FRONT OF FAMILY AND IN FRONT OF COWORKERS.

AND SHE KIND OF THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY.

>> Cathy: SO IS THERE A MECHANISM ON THE CITY LEVEL AT ALL, AND YOU KIND OF MAYBE ANSWERED THIS A LITTLE BIT, BUT WOULD THERE BE ANY MECHANISM WHERE THE CITY COUNCIL COULD BRING FORTH ANYTHING, A RESOLUTION?

MAYBE THIS IS SILLY TO EVEN ASK.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK I'D HAVE TO PROBE THAT A LITTLE FURTHER.

LEGALLY, I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THE RECALL PETITION I THINK IS PROBABLY THE MOST REALISTIC THING.

BUT THE CITY COUNCIL'S MEETING NEXT WEDNESDAY, CLOSED DOOR MEETING, TO TALK ABOUT PENDING LITIGATION, WHICH IS THE POLICE CHIEF'S LITIGATION.

AND THEN THEY'D PROBABLY OPEN THE MEETING AND HIRE AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

>> Eric: ST.

PAUL DOWNTOWN DID GET AN ALDI!

>> ALL OF THIS IS KIND OF OVERSHADOWED.

WE GOT AN ALDI WHERE LUND'S USED TO BE.

WE HAD A HUGELY RESIDENTIAL DOWNTOWN WITH NO GROCERY FOR THE LAST YEARS AND CHANGE.

TODAY I TOUR AID THE STELLA APARTMENTS, A $68 MILLION CONVERSION.

ECOLAB TOWER, THE PRICEYEST IS $5,999 A MONTH.

IT'S A NICE APARTMENT.

BEAUTIFUL VIEW.

AND THEN WABASHA PLAZA, IT'S A $4 MILLION PARK THAT JUST OPENED.

SO ALL DOWNTOWN, THERE'S GOOD THINGS DOWNTOWN.

>> Eric: YOU LEAVE WITH GLAD TIEDINGS, THANKS VERY MUCH.

♪ >> THE MINNESOTA LYNX ENDED THE REGULAR SEASON THIS WEEK WITH THE BEST RECORD IN THE WNBA AND GRABBED THE NUMBER ONE SEED IN PLAYOFFS.

THEY HOST THE NEW YORK LIBERTY ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT TARGET CENTER.

IN OTHER SPORTS NEWS, THE VIKINGS HEAD INTO THIS WEEKEND WITH A 2-0 RECORD TO START THE SEASON.

BUT LONG-SUFFERING VIKES FANS HOPEFULLY KNOW IT IS FOOLHARDY TO GET TOO EXCITED IN SEPTEMBER.

AND THE MINNESOTA WILD ARE LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY FROM THEIR FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME.

ERIC NELSON IS BACK.

HE'S A LONGTIME TWIN CITIES SPORTS REPORTER AND CO-HOST OF THE RADIO AND TV SHOW "10,000 TAKES."

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MY FRIEND.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE LYNX.

>> ELL, YOU SHOULD BE.

>> Cathy: YEAH, CAN THEY GO ALL THE WAY?

>> THEY SHOULD.

I MEAN, VEGAS THINKS THEY WILL.

THEY'RE THE TOP SEED.

BEST OF THREE, THOUGH.

CAN'T HAVE ANY HICCUPS, OR IT COULD END QUICKLY.

BUT I THINK MINNESOTA WILL BE READY.

IT'S THIS DRIVE FOR FIVE, A FIFTH WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP.

WE NEED A PARADE HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES BADLY.

>> Eric: DOES COACH REEVE HAVE A SPECIAL WAY OF KEEPING CAITLIN CLARK UNDER WRAPS?

>> CHERYL REEVE HAS GOT TO BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST COACHES EVER AND PROBABLY THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL COACH IN MINNESOTA'S HISTORY.

WHO'S WON MORE TITLES AT THE PRO TITLE?

TOM KELLY HAS TWO WITH THE TWINS.

WELL, SHE'S DOUBLED THAT.

>> Cathy: I'M A LITTLE WORRIED BOUT OLIVIA MILES.

HER HEALTH, SHE'S BEEN OUT FOR THE LAST TWO REGULAR GAMES OF THE SEASON.

SHE'S SUCH A STAR, SHE'S GOT TO BE HEALTHY.

>> I THINK SHE'S GOING TO BE READY TO O AGAINST NEW YORK.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY'VE GOT NAPHEESA COLLIER OW IN THE GROOVE AND THEY HAVE A DEEP TEAM SO IT'S NOT JUST OLIVIA.

BUT THEY BETTER BE READY.

TWO YEARS AGO, THE LIB LIBERTY KNOCKED THEM OUT IN THE WNBA FINALS.

>> HOW ABOUT YLER MURRAY?

>> DOWN ON THE MUGSY CONDITIONS IN TAMPA.

SO THEY'RE DES TRAIT.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE OWNRY, TRYING TO GET A WIN.

BUT I THINK KYLER WILL BE FINE.

THAT MINNESOTA DEFENSE, THAT MINNESOTA MAYHEM CAUSED BY BRIAN FLORES, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS THE OFFENSE PUTS UP 20 OR MORE, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO ONE.

>> Eric: THE GOPHER, WASHINGTON, FOOTBALL GAME, 10:00 P.M.

KICKOFF?

WHAT?

>> T'S THE LATEST STARTING COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME THIS WEEK.

IN FACT, I'M FLYING TO SEATTLE TOMORROW, AND I'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE KICKOFF WHICH IS 8:00 P.M.

PACIFIC.

>> Eric: WHAT CAN YOU TELL US WITH THE N.I.L., THE RIERMS OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS.

SEEMS VERY CONFUSING TO ME.

>> IT IS.

IT'S IWORK IN PROGRESS.

YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS TO PLAY FOUR.

THESE TEAMS ARE PAYING A BOAT LOAD OF MONEY.

THEY CALL HIM SUMMER.- HEEY CALL HIM SUMMER.- HE E CALL HIM SUMMER.- HE ETSALL HIM SUMMER.- HE ETS OL HIM SUMMER.- HE ETS ONLHIM SUMMER.- HE ETS ONLY M SUMMER.- HE ETS ONLY 1.SUMMER.- HE ETS ONLY 1.5 MMER.- HE ETS ONLY 1.5 MIER.- HE ETS ONLY 1.5 MILL.- HE ETS ONLY 1.5 MILLION FROM MISSISSIPPI STATE.

I'M WAITING FOR -- RIGHT NOW, IT'S THE WILD, WILD WEST.

IT'S OFF THE RAILS.

>> Cathy: ISN'T THE U OF M ATHLETICS BUDGET IN THE HOLE BECAUSE OF THE PAYMENTS?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

BUT THESE PROGRAMS NEED TO GET CREATIVE.

I'VE ALWAYS SAID MINNESOTA HISTORICALLY NOT ONE OF THESE PEDIGREE PROGRAMS THE LAST 50, 55 YEARS.

BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES MERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

P.J.

FLECK, MARK COIL, ALL THE OTHER COACHES GOT TO GO THERE WITH A TIN CUP IN THEIR HAND SAYING, WE NEED MONEY.

>> Eric: A WORD ABOUT THE PACKERS.

>> THEY GOT THUMPED BY ATLANTA LAST NIGHT.

THERE IS TIME TO GET THIS THING YOU ARE TURNED AROUND.

THEY NEED MICA PARSONS WHO'S THE OUTSTANDING LINE BACKER AND OF COURSE THE RUNNING BACK JOSH JACOBS TO A SUSPENSION LIST.

BUT GREEN BAY'S ONE AND TWO AND THEY'RE REELING RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: SO THE WILD START THE REGULAR SEASON JUST DOWN THE BLOCK HERE IN DOWNTOWN ST.

PAUL.

I'M KIND OF EXCITED ABOUT THEM.

ARE YOU?

>> YEAH, I THINK, THOUGH, YOU GOT TO SET THE BAR HIGHER THAN JUST GETTING TO ROUND TWO.

JOHN HYNES, 9 COACH GOT A CONTRACT EXTENSION.

QUINN HUGHES HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN THAT EXTENSION AS OF THIS SHOW.

BUT THEY OPEN THURSDAY AT NASHVILLE AND THE HOPE OPENLIER IS NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT IN ST.

PAUL.

EXPWHRASES ALL RIGHT.

SAY, BEFORE YOU GO, ARE YOU DOING ANY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AT ALL?

>> YEAH, CHAMPLIN PARK, A TOP FIVE KID, MY KID MOLESTON PLAYS RUNNING BACK AND WE'RE THREE AND O, TRYING TO GET TO 4-0.

AFTER THIS SHOW, I'M OUT THERE TO WATCH HIM PLAY.

>> Eric: DO YOU BEHAVE YOURSELF?

>> I TRY TO.

BUT CHAMPLIN PARK'S OFF ON TO A GOOD START.

SO I APPRECIATE YOU MOVING UP IN THE TIME SLOT.

>> Cathy: THERE YOU GO.

NOW, GO AND CHEER YOUR KID ON.

>> I'M GOING TO.

GLOOSES THANKS ERIC.

♪ >> WE'VE BEEN DOING THE PURPLE RAIN TOUR.

IF WE HAD A DAY OFF WE WOULD GO AND STOP AT SOME OF THE HOSPITALS AND TURN THE CAFETERIA INTO A CONCERT FOR A LOT OF THE KIDS.

HE DID THAT LOT AND, YOU KNOW, WE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT HIM NOT WANTING RECOGNITION OR ANYONE TO REALLY KNOW.

HE JUST DID IT WAWZ FER BECAUSE HE WANTED TO AND HE HAD A HUGE HEART AND THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO THROW THIS CONCERT.

♪ ♪ >> ADIA: IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF THE YEAR, OR CLOSE ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THIS MONOLOGUE, SO IT'S TIME FOR SOME END-OF-YEAR REVIEWS.

IN THIS EDITION: THE SEASONS IN MINNESOTA.

WINTER: BEAUTIFUL, UNFORGIVING, DIVISIVE.

WINTER HAS HER STANS.

THEY LOVE HER CRISP, COLD DAYS AND WHAT SHE OFFERS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION, BUT LATELY HER SHOWING HAS BEEN LACKLUSTER, WITH STINGY DUSTINGS OF SNOW AND UNCHARACTERISTICALLY WARM DAYS.

COULD SHE BE LOSING HER EDGE?

SPRING IS WINTER'S INSECURE COUSIN.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE: FRIGID AND SLUSHY ONE MOMENT, HOTTER THAN BLAZES THE NEXT.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND, GIRL.

SUMMER IS EATING YOU UP.

SUMMER: THE FRIEND WHO'S JUST A LITTLE TOO MUCH FOR MUCH TOO LONG.

SHE CAN BE THE FUN-TIME PARTY GIRL, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, YOU JUST WANT HER TO BACK UP OFF OF YOU.

ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE WILDFIRES.

IT'S NOT ME, SUMMER; IT'S YOU.

LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST: FALL.

CALM, COOL, AND SOMEHOW STILL WARM AND INVITING.

THIS GOLDEN GIRL IS A LITERAL BREATH OF FRESH AIR AFTER SUMMER'S MESS.

FLAUNTS HER BEST COLORS, KNOWS HER ANGLES, AND SOMEHOW MAKES EVERYONE AROUND HER LOOK GOOD, TOO.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO TAKE A BAD PHOTO WITH FALL?

I DON'T THINK SO.

AND WHEN IT'S HER TIME, SHE BOWS OUT GRACEFULLY, MAKING ROOM FOR THE BEST SIDE OF WINTER.

WHAT A GEM.

MY REVIEWS ARE, OBVIOUSLY, BIASED, BUT THIS WEEK WAS NEARLY PERFECT.

CAN YOU BLAME ME?

♪ >> ERIC: THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS CURRENTLY TIED, SO EVERY SEAT AND VOTE MATTERS.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN HEARING ABOUT A RACE TO WATCH IN A COMPETITIVE SUBURB THAT THIS TIME HAS AN INCUMBENT.

>> Mary: THIS RACE TO WATCH TAKES US TO THE NORTH METRO, A GROWING COMMUNITY IN BLAINE AND LEXINGTON, HOUSE DISTRICT 32B.

>> CAN YOU JUST TURN YOUR FACE THIS WAY?

PERFECT.

>> Mary: AS A SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, REPUBLICAN LESLIE LARSON HAS A LOT OF ENERGY TO TAKE TO A CAMPAIGN.

>> IT'S REALLY BECAUSE OF MY KIDS HAT I'M RUNNING.

I WANT MINNESOTA TO BE A BETTER PLACE.

I KNOW THAT WE CAN DO BETTER.- I WAOW THAT WE CAN DO BETTER.- I WANT THAT WE CAN DO BETTER.- I WANT MHAT WE CAN DO BETTER.- I WANT MY T WE CAN DO BETTER.- I WANT MY KIWE CAN DO BETTER.- I WANT MY KIDS CAN DO BETTER.- I WANT MY KIDS TAN DO BETTER.- I WANT MY KIDS TO DO BETTER.- I WANT MY KIDS TO BEO BETTER.- I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ABETTER.- I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ABLTTER.- I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ABLE ER.- I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ABLE TO.- I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ABLE TO.- AFFORD A HOUSE WHEN THEY'RE OF THAT AGE.

I WANT THEIR EDUCATION TO BE BETTER.

I LIKE THAT YOUR FEET ARE AT A LITTLE BIT OF AN ANGLE.

GOOD, YOU'RE ALL SET, THANK YOU.

>> FRAUD IN ANY FORM REMAINS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MATT NORRIS STUDIED LAW AND BUSINESS TO BUILD A BIPARTISAN RECORD SERVING AT THE CAPITOL.

>> SO OFTEN THEY'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M A DEMOCRAT OR I'M A REPUBLICAN, BUT CAN'T YOU ALL JUST WORK TOGETHER?

AND I AY, ABSOLUTELY!

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT HOW I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT ABOUT 2/3 OF MY BILLS HAVE SUPPORT FROM BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN TERMS OF COAUTHOR SHAWP.

GOOD DAY FOR -- >> I HAD DOOR KNOCKED THAT AREA -- >> LARSON ALSO SITS ON CITY COUNCIL AND WANTS MORE FOCUS ON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> FRAUD CONTINUES TO BE A TOP ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE DOORS.

WE NEED HONESTY.

WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY.

NOW, HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A PRIVATE BUSINESS, WE WOULD HAVE SEEN PEOPLE FIRED.

WE POTENTIALLY WOULD HAVE SEEN PEOPLE GO TO JAIL.

IT'S CERTAINLY WOULDN'T HAVE GONE ON S LONG AS IT HAS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> HI, THERE, I'M MATT NORRIS.

>> Mary: NORRIS KNOWS FRAUD WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER AS CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

>> WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY TACKLE THAT ISSUE HEAD ON AND IT'S WHY I HAVE, WHETHER IT'S THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL BILL, THE BILL TO BEEF UP THE MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT.

AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE DONE EITHER.

I HAVE BEEN CLEAR IN CALL FOR A TOP TO BOTTOM AUDIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT WHEN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION TAKES OVER IN JANUARY.

>> Mary: IN THE LAST ELECTION, DFLer NORRIS WON BY JUST OVER 400 VOTES SO EVERYONE KNEW IMMEDIATELY THIS WOULD ONCE AGAIN BE A TOP TARGET.

THIS COULD BE CLOSER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS 400 VOTES, THAT'S CORRECT.

BUT HE WASN'T RUNNING AGAINST ME.

I WON MY LAST CITY COUNCIL RACE WITH 74%.

SO I DO THINK THAT I AM EQAIPED EQAIPEQUIPPED TO WIN THIS NEXT HOUSE RACE BECAUSE OF WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE.

I'VE BEEN IN BLAINE FOR 20 YEARS.

I REALLY KNOW THIS COMMUNITY.

I KNOW WHAT THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE RACE SIMPLY JUST THE NATURE OF THIS AREA.

I CALL IT THE PURPLE FRONTIER.

I MEAN, YOU GO ONE DISTRICT TO THE SOUTH, AS SOLIDLY THE SOUTH, AS SOLID SOLIDLY BLU, AND THIS IS THAT PURPLE AREA IN THE MIDDLE AND BUT I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT HAS MADE ME AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR IS I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH A VERY DIVERSE AND CONSTITUENCY, ONE, THAT YOU HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT SIDES, PERSPECTIVES, VERY DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUSES, AS WELL.

>> Mary: THE OPEN QUESTION IS HOW MUCH NATIONAL OLITICS WILL FACTOR IN INCLUDING AFFORD YACIALT, IMMIGRATION, AND THE PRESIDENT.

>> HI, THERE, MY NAME IS LESLIE LARSON, I'M RUNNING FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> BLAINE IS VERY MUCH GROWING.

I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE THE EIGHTH LARGEST CITY RIGHT NOW.

HOWEVER, WE ARE THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY VIA LAND MASS.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST PROJECT GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN THE WHOLE MIDWEST.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT ETHNIC DIVERSITY BECAUSE I THINK THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION REALLY CAME TO THE FORE, AND LOCAL "CAPITOL REPORTS" ARE ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE.

>> BLAINE IS GROWING ALWAYS.

YES, WE'RE EXPANDING IN DIVERSITY AS WELL.

>> Mary: WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT OPERATION METRO SURGE?

>> IT WAS A VERY HARD TIME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT COMES UP.

>> WELL, I'M A MOM THAT'S RUNNING TO REPRESENT BLAINE.

I JUST BRING IT BACK TO LOCAL ISSUES.

HOW DID THEY GET A THIRD MORE FUNDING, BUT, YEAH, LIKE YOU SAID, WE'RE CLOSING SCHOOLS, WE'RE CUTTING CORNERS.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ADDRESSING AFFORDABILITY.

>> WE ARE ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAXED STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

WHAT I CAN CONTROL IF I GET THIS POSITION IS STATE LEGISLATION AND THAT'S WHAT I INTEND TO DO.

>> WHAT O YOU LIKE ABOUT THE AREA?

>> IT'S VERY QUIET.

YOU'VE GOT THE COPS RIGHT THERE.

>> IT IS MPACTING PEOPLE'S POSSIBILITY BOOKS EVERY SINGLE DAY HERE IN BLAINE AND LEXINGTON.

IT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT I HEAR ABOUT ON THE DOORS.

I MEAN, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DRIVE BY A GAS STATION HERE IN OUR AREA, AND YOU SEE GAS -- I THINK TODAY IT'S DOWN TO 4.39 WHICH SEEMS LIKE A RELIEF.

WHETHER IT'S THE GAS PRICES, WHETHER IT'S HEALTHCARE, THAT'S ANOTHER BIG ONE FOR SO MANY FAMILIES.

PEOPLE'S POCKET BOOKS ARE GETTING GETTIGETTING SQUEEZED AND IT'S LARGELY BECAUSE OF ACTIONS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL RIGHT NOW WHETHER IT'S TEAR YICHS, WHETHER IT'S THE WAR IN IRAN.

AND SO YOU CAN'T SEPARATE THE CONVERSATION.

ARE YOU PLANNING ON VOTING THIS FALL?

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, GREAT.

>> STUFF'S HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY THESE DAYS.

BIG TURNOUT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M EXPECTING.

PEOPLE KNOW ME AT THIS POINT.

THEY'VE SEEN THE RESULTS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER.

THEY'RE SAYING THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO REGARDLESS OF PARTY GOES TO THE CAPITOL AND GETS THINGS DONE.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: WE DON'T DO MANY DEBATES ON "ALMANAC" FOR CITY OR COUNTY RACES.

AFTER ALL, WE ARE A STATEWIDE PROGRAM.

BUT WITH INCREASED ATTENTION ON HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR SEVERAL REASONS, INCLUDING OPERATION METRO SURGE, WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S RACE THIS YEAR.

IT'S AN OPEN SEAT.

MARY MORIARTY IS STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF HER FIRST TERM.

CEDRICK FRAZIER IS A D.F.L.

HOUSE MEMBER FROM NEW HOPE.

HE WAS THE TOP VOTE GETTER IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

ANDERS FOLK IS A FORMER U.S.

ATTORNEY.

HE CAME IN SECOND IN THE PRIMARY.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Cathy: ANDERS FOLK, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

MARYMORE YARTY HAD A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO DEALING WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

AND THERE WERE DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR THOSE SORTS OF OFFENDERS.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY OF A YOUNG PERSON COMMITS A SERIOUS CRIME?

>> LOOK, I THINK THE KEY THING HERE WITH ANYBODY COMMITTING A CRIME, JUVENILE, ADULT, OR WHATEVER, IS THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CONSEQUENCE IN THE APPROPRIATE CASE.

I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE LAST FOUR YEARS, CERTAINLY IN JUVENILE CRIME, IS THE FAILURE TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO THINGS THAT I THINK ARE MOST CRITICAL.

WHICH IS GETTING THAT RIGHT BALANCE OF OMPASSION AND CONSEQUENCE.

AND I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN AND HEARD FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS IS THAT JUVENILES AND ESPECIALLY JUVENILES COMMITTING VERY SERIOUS OFFENSES AREN'T BEING HELD SUFFICIENTLY ACCOUNTABLE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS MOST CRITICAL IS ENSURING THAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT OBVIOUSLY IN EVERY CASE BY THE JUVENILE, BUT MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT ENSURES PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Cathy: CEDRICK FRAZIER, MARY LAHAMMER DID THE STORY ABOUT THE HOUSE RACES IN BLAINE THERE.

AND ONE OF THE CANDIDATES CALLED IT CATCH AND RELEASE UNDER MARY MORIARTY.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> SOME OF THESE CASES, IF THESE INDIVIDUALS, IF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT CONSIDERED COMPETENT, THEN THEY HAVE TO BE RELEASED.

WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WORKING WITH ALONG WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ALONG WITH LEGISLATORS THAT I HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH, WE'LL BE WORKING ON HOW DO WE FIND RESOURCES TO FIND MORE TOOLS TO DEAL WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY MAKE BAD DECISIONS?

THAT COULD BE AT HOME OR IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND I CAN TELL YOU IN THIS RACE, THAT MESSAGE IS RESONATING WITH PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE SUCH BROAD RANGE OF ENDORSEMENTS.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH DO YOU GUYS DIFFER?

I WONDER IF THIS COMES DOWN TO A REFERENDUM ON MARY FLIER FOUR YEARS IN THE OFFICE.

>> MY OPPONENT WORKED VERY HARD TO GET MARY MORIARTY ELECTED.

AND SUPPORTED HER FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR IN THIS CAMPAIGN THAT IF I'M ELECTED ON DAY ONE, THE MARY MORIARTY ERA ENDS.

BUT IN TERMS OF HOW THIS OFFICE IS RUN AND THE FUNDAMENTAL DIRECTION OF THIS OFFICE, WE COULDN'T BE MORE DIFFERENT.

>> YEAH, LOOK, MARY MORIARTY IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

I'M RUNNING IN THIS RACE.

AND WHEN OUR RESUMES HAVE BEEN PUT -- I'VE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT MY RESUME, AND WE'VE HAD IN THE PRIMARIES WITH OVER 30,000 VOTES, THEY SAID THEY WANT CEDRICK FRAZIER, SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN A LEADER AT THE STATE CAPITOL, WHO'S BEEN A LEADER AS A LABOR ATTORNEY FOR OVER A DECADE, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE MY ENTIRE CAREER, FIGHTING FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE, EVEN WHEN IT'S TOUGH.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T AGREE AND WE'RE WORKING TOWARD A SOLUTION TOGETHER AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> SO I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT WE SAW FIVE CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY.

58% OF HENNEPIN COUNTY VOTERS VOTED FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS EXPERIENCE AS A PROSECUTOR.

AND I THINK THE THING TO REMEMBER HERE IS THIS IS THE LARGEST PUBLIC LAW OFFICE IN MINNESOTA.

THIS IS THE LARGEST PUBLIC PROSECUTION OFFICE IN MINNESOTA.

AND I THINK VOTERS ARE VERY CLEAR, THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THIS EXPERIMENT WE HAVE RUN HAS FAILED.

LEADING A PUBLIC LAW OFFICE INTO THE SEAT.

>> Eric: CRIME IS DOWN IN THE COUNTY.

12% DOWN IN 2025.

FEWER HOMICIDES.

DOWN 19%.

NOW, IS THAT BECAUSE CRIME IS DOWN, OR BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER PROSECUTIONS OR FEWER CRIMES BEING REPORTED?

>> NO, I THINK CRIME IS DOWN, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT, EVEN THOUGH CRIME IS DOWN, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY, EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN THAT COMMUNITY IS ACTUALLY FEELING WHEN THE CRIME IS ACTUALLY DOWN.

WE'RE SEEING THAT AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT WHAT WE ALSO KNOW IS THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMES ARE UP.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M GOING TO BE FOCUSING IS HOW DO WE BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT.

I WILL BE ELEVATING OUR VICTIM SERVICES BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE WORKING THERE.

WE WWE NEED TO HAVE THEM MORE VISIBLE, BUT ALSO TO HELP REHABILITATE PEOPLE AND HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON TRACK WHAT IT HAPPENS.

MANY OF THE SAFETY NET PROGRAMS THAT OUR COUNTY FUNDS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND H.R.-1 IS GOING TO CUT THOSE PROGRAMS, SO HOW DO WE KEEP THOSE RESOURCES IN PLACE?

>> YOU KNOW, ERIC, YOU RAISE A REALLY GOOD POINT.

WE'VE SEEN YEAR OVER YEAR REDUCTIONS IN SOME F OUR CRIME RATES AND WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY LIFT THAT UP.

BUT IF WE LOOK BACK FORTH, PRE-PANDEMIC, SOME OF OUR CRIME RATES ARE STILL ELEVATED ACROSS HENNEPIN COUNTY AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT NATIONALLY WE'RE SEEING ALL-TIME LOWS IN CERTAIN PLACES IN TERMS OF CRIME AND VIOLENT CRIME RATES.

BALTIMORE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT.

BUT WHAT I'M REALLY FOCUSED ON IS LOOKING AT AREAS WHERE WE CAN DO BETTER AND HAVE TO DO BETTER.

RIGHT NOW IN MINNEAPOLIS, YOU'RE TWICE AS LIKELY TO GET ROBBED AS YOU ARE IN ATLANTA OR BOSTON.

AND, YOU KNOW, SO OFTEN I THINK THE MEDIA NARRATIVE ON MINNEAPOLIS IS, OH, IT'S A DYSTOPIA HELLSCAPE, NOBODY SHOULD GO THERE, BUT I THINK THAT'S FLAT-OUT WRONG.

WE CAN AND SHOULD DO BETTER AND ONE WAY WE DO BETTER AND IT'S A MULTIVARIABLE EQUATION THAT WE'RE SOLVING HERE, BUT ONE WAY IS WITH THE PROSECUTION OFFICE THAT PROSECUTES, THAT HOLDS PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND FOCUSES LIKE A LASER ON THE VIOLENT REPEAT OFFENDERS.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED, CEDRICK FRAZIER, THAT YOU WANTED TO BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

AS A LEGISLATOR I WORKED ON OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BILL.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISED AN ISSUE.

THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN AND SPECIFICALLY AROUND LIABILITY.

I BROUGHT IN COMMUNITY ADVOCACY GROUPS, I BROUGHT IN STUDENTS.

I BROUGHT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I BROUGHT IN COMMUNITY LEADERS.

I BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT HEARING EACH OTHER.

THEY WERE NOT EARING WHAT THE REAL FOCUS WAS, WHAT THE REAL ISSUES WERE AND WHAT THE ULTIMATE END GAME WAS.

AND I KNOW THAT THEY WERE IN DISAGREEMENT, BUT WHEN WE GOT THEM TOGETHER IN A ROOM, WE FOUND A SOLUTION AND A WAY FORTH.

AND WE PUT A WHOLE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE HOW WE HIRE S.R.O.s, HOW WE TRAIN THEM, CREATED A TRANS PARENTED SYSTEM WITH GUARDRAILS, AND REGULATIONS.

>> Cathy: AND HOW WOULD YOU BRING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S A CRITICAL PART OF BEING A LEADER IN A PUBLIC LAW OFFICE.

SO THE CHIEF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR THE STATE, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID ALL THE TIME WAS CONVENING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM.

AND DOES THAT INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT?

FOR SURE.

DOES THAT INCLUDE EDUCATORS, FAITH LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS?

YES.

AND THE IDEA IS YOU BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER TO LISTEN, TO DRIVE STRATEGY BASED ON THAT INPUT.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THIS TOP-DOWN CRAM-DOWN IS TOP-DOWN CRAM-DOWN I APPROACH.

DOESN'T WORK.

WE HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S BASED ON EXPERIENCE ON WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> IF I COULD JUST SPEAK TO THAT.

I REPRESENT THE CITIES OF CRYSTAL AND NEW HOPE.

I FEW YEARS AGO, MY POLICE CHIEF HAD TO WRITE AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, MIKE FREEMAN, BEGGING TO COMMUNICATE AND HAVE OPEN DIALOGUE AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES WITHIN OUR CITIES AND WITHIN OUR AREA, RIGHT?

SO THAT GOES BACK.

I KNOW MY OPPONENT, AGAIN, WANTS TO RUN AGAINST MARY MORIARTY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE THEN.

IT WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY LEADER'S TO HAVE THAT MISCOMMUNICATION.

>> Eric: HOW WOULD YOU HAVE HANDLED THE METRO SURGE AS A COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> LOOK ... GOAL ONE, ANYBODY WHO VIOLATED MINNESOTA LAW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

AND THESE FEDERAL AGENTS, I'VE DESCRIBED THEIR TACTICS AS BRUTAL AND WANTON.

ANY FEDERAL AGENT WHO VIOLATED MINNESOTA LAW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Eric: DOESN'T IT ALL GO TO THE FEDERAL SYSTEM, THOUGH?

>> THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE THINGS.

ALL HESE CASES THAT ARE CHARGED IN STATE COURT I THINK ULTIMATELY WILL BE REMOVED INTO FEDERAL COURT BY OPERATIONAL LAW.

THAT MEANS THOSE CASES WILL ULTIMATELY, IF THEY -- ASSUMING THEY'RE IN FEDERAL COURT, THEY WILL BE TRIED BEFORE A FEDERAL JURY, IN FRONT OF A FEDERAL JUDGE, APPLYING STATE LAW.

AND I THINK IF EVER IT'S BEEN CRITICAL TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE IN FEDERAL COURT, TRYING FEDERAL CASES, DRIVING STRATEGY IN FEDERAL MATTERS, IT'S THESE CASES WHICH WE WILL, WE HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

EVERY CASE THAT WE TAKE FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY TO FEDERAL COURT IS GOING TO BE A CASE -- THESE ARE GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY HIGH PROFILE CASES.

>> Cathy: AND IF YOU WERE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THE TIME OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, WHAT WOULD WE HAVE SEEN FROM YOU?

>> YOU WOULD SEE EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT EVIDENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS EVIDENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE AND WE'RE GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE CAN BRING CHARGES.

THAT WAS CRITICAL BECAUSE I WAS OUT THERE AFTER RENEE GOOD WAS KILLED, AFTER ALEX PRETTI WAS SHOT.

AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS, IT FELT JUST LIKE IT FELT WHEN GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED.

THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS HAD THAT DID NOT SAY WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID AND WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.

IT SAID THE OPPOSITE, AND THAT WAS THE NIGHT THAT CIVIL UNREST REALLY BECAME A PROBLEM.

I WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD.

AND I TOLD MEMBERS WHEN I WAS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN HOLD THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

IF WE GET THE EVIDENCE AND HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO PROSECUTE, THEY SHOULD PROSECUTE IF THE EVIDENCE SAYS SO, BUT THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND I BELIEVE THE OBLIGATION TO DO THAT SO THAT MINNESOTANS CAN MOVE ON AND ACTUALLY HEAL.

SO HAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT WOULD YOU DO.

AND I'M WONDERING HOW YOU SEE THE ROLE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WHAT'S THE DEFINITION OF THIS FOR YOU?

>> FOR ME, YOU'RE THE FACE OF THIS OFFICE.

IN THIS ORGANIZATION, RIGHT?

AND FOR ME, THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I'LL TELLING YOU THIS.

I GREW UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAD TERRIBLE GUN VIOLENCE, TERRIBLE DRUG TRAFFICKING AND GUN VIOLENCE AND I SURVIVING ALL THOSE THINGS AND I NEVER FELT SAFE WHEN I WAS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND I ALWAYS WISH WE HAD LEADERS THAT UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO COME FROM THOSE COMMUNITIES AND LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE BUILT A COUNTY-WIDE COALITION, NOT A COUNTRY CLUB COALITION THAT'S EXCLUSIVE, IT'S INCLUSIVE OF EVERYONE.

IT'S RESONATING WITH VOTERS AND IT'S WHY WE WON OVERWHELMINGLY ON PRIMARY NIGHT.

>> Cathy: AND HOW DO YOU SEE THE JOB?

>> YOU'RE FERGUSONLY >> YOU'RE FERGUSO FUNDAMENTALLYA SERVE LEADER, FOR EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR THE OFFICE AND FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY.

YOU NEED TO BE A RESOURCE FOR YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.

YOU NEED TO BE A RESOURCE FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CARE DIEPLY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND YOU NEED TO BE THERE FOR YOUR EAM.

YOU NEED TO LIFT THEM UP.

MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW YOU'VE GOT THEIR BACK.

AND THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS.

LEADERSHIP IN THESE ROLES IS HARD.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THICK SKIN.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO ADMIT YOU'RE WRONG WHEN YOU'RE WRONG.

IT'S LIKE THE LAST FOUR YEARS ON A CONSTANT REPLAY.

BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.

IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY WHO JUST WANT TO KNOW OMEBODY'S LOOKING OUT FOR THEM AND TAKE FOR THEM AND TAKING CARE OF THEM.

>> Eric: HOW SENSITIVE IS RACE IN THE CRIME DEBATE?

AND I WONDER, I JUST SAW THE EDINA POLICE CHIEF COME OUT WITH A FACEBOOK POST SAYING THAT THE SOMALI GANGS HAVE TO BE CONTROLLED OR -- I'M NOT SURE ELIMINATED, BUT CHROMED ANYWAY.

CONTROLLED ANYWAY.

AND IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF SUB TEXT ABOUT CRIME AND MINORITIES AM I WRONG?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT NARRATIVE IS OUT THERE AND I THINK IT'S HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE.

I THINK CRIME IS SPECIFIC TO ANY PARTICULAR DEMOGRAPHIC OR COMMUNITY.

AS A BLACK MAN GROWING UP, I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS ALL MY LIFE WHERE YOU'RE BEING BLAMED FOR THINGS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT WHEN CRIME HAPPENS, WE SHOULD GO AFTER THOSE FOLKS.

WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE, WE SHOULD PROSECUTE AND LOCK THOSE INDIVIDUALS UP.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD EVER DISTILL IT DOWN TO A PARTICULAR RACE OR DEMOGRAPHIC IS THE PARTICULAR CAUSE OF A CRIME.

>> AGREE.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD YOU BOTH DO, THOUGH, ABOUT PROSECUTING GANG VIOLENCE?

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AS HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S A COUPLE PIECES TO THIS.

SO I'M GOING TO USE THE SAME KIND OF STRATEGY AND APPROACH I USED BOTH AS A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR BUILDING THESE CASES PERSONALLY AND LEADING TEAMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS PERSONALLY, UT ALSO THE STRATEGIES I USED LEADING THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HAVING LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND THAT IS, WE TAKE A STRATEGIC DATA DRIVEN APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING THE GROUPS THAT ARE CAUSING CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE THEN FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON ENSURING THAT WE'RE INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW AND GETTING THEM OFF THE STREETS AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ORGANIZED CRIME OR GANG CRIME, THERE'S A FEW THREADS THAT ARE ALMOST ALWAYS PRESENT.

GUNS.

VIOLENCE CONCENTRATED IN JERN GEOGRAPHIES THAT CAN SPREAD ALL AROUND AND A FEELING F A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEING PREYED UPON AND SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY PRECISE BUT TARGETED AND VERY CLEAR THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE IT.

I'VE DONE THIS ON MULTIPLE LARGE AND IN SOME CASES NATIONAL STREET GANGS IN MINNESOTA AND IT'S REALLY HARD WORK BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WORK AND I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS ABSOLUTELY UP TO THE TASK.

>> Eric: ARE THOSE PROCEDURES BEING CONDUCTED CURRENTLY WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IN HENNEPIN COUNTY?

>> I THINK THERE'S VERY STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS RIGHT NOW WITH THE PARTNERS WITHIN HENNEPIN COUNTY WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS I'M GOING TO BE WORKING ON.

I'VE HAD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WORK CLOSELY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO WORK ON OUR RISK PROTECTION ORDER LAW.

I'VE WORKED ON CREATING LANGUAGE TO GIVE ACCESS TO BODY CAM FOOTAGE AND WORKING IN THE PAST LEGISLATION, CLEARANCE RATES FOR NONFATAL SHOOTINGS.

I'VE BEEN DOING IT IN TANDEM WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN DEPARTMENTS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK ACROSS THIS COUNTY.

WHAT I WILL SAY, I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT I GREW UP IN A PLACE THAT WAS RAVAGED BY GANG VIOLENCE.

I UNDERSTAND XACTLY WHY A LOT OF THEE KIDS GET INVOLVED.

ONE OF MY FIRST MEETINGS WHEN I NOW SAID I WAS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE WAS WITH THE PRINCIPALS FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS.

WHAT I SAID TO THEM IS WE'RE GOING TO BE A PARTNER.

YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS AND YOU SEE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE, YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MOMENT AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING.

BUT ALSO TO IDENTIFY WHERE PROBLEMS CAN BE SO WE CAN GET THERE BEFORE IT HAPPENS, BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT GETTING THOSE KIDS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY.

>> Cathy: THERE USED TO BE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY HOME SCHOOL THAT KIND OF A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, PLACE WHERE SOME OF THESE REALLY TROUBLED COULD GO.

AND IT WAS CLOSED.

AND I WOULD WONDER, WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED AS HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY TO LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

IT'S EXPENSIVE, THOUGH.

>> IT IS.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE A THIRD OPTION FOR JUVENILES WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND YOU USE THE WORD CATCH AND RELEASE.

I MIGHT USE THE WORD REVOLVING DOOR.

FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE APPROACH WE'VE USED HAS DPAILED.

FAMED.

FAILED.

I THINK THE COUNTY HOME SCHOOL, THAT MODEL COULD BE A REALLY PRODUCTIVE MODEL.

AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THAT KIND OF RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU'VE GOT PROGRAMMING AND REHABILITATION, BUT YOU'RE GETTING KIDS OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE A LOT F THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES ARISE AND YOU'RE GETTING THEM SOMETIMES OUT OF THE GROUPS OF FOLKS THAT ARE CAUSING THEM TO GET INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CRITICAL.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, ENERGY, A LOT OF WORK TO DO THAT, BUT I THINK IT HAS TO BE ON THE TABLE.

>> Eric: WASN'T THERE A BILL TO PUT SOME OF THESE IN RAMSEY COUNTY?

>> YEAH, I'LL SPECK TO THAT.

SPEAK TO THAT.

I THINK WE CANNOT HAVE ANOTHER SITUATION LIKE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY HOME SCHOOL.

THERE WASN'T A PLAN WHEN IF WAS CLOSED.

KIDS WERE BEING ABUSED THERE.

I SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO USED TO WORK THERE RECENTLY AND WHO WAS A VOTER, I WORKED THERE, IT WAS TERRIBLE, BUT WE DO NEED MORE TOOLS.

THE THING THAT HAPPENED IN RAMSEY COUNTY, THERE WAS LEGISLATION BROUGHT TO CREATE FIVE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTY.

ONE THING THAT WE KNOW, WHEN WE WERE INTERVENING, IT OFTEN IS A VERY GREAT THING IF THEY HAVE SOME CLOSE PROXIMITY TO FAMILY SUPPORT OR COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT CAN STILL BE THERE FOR THEM TO HELP WHILE THEY'RE GETTING TREATMENT WITHIN THE FACILITY, BUT THEN WHEN THEY'RE UNWRAPPING THEM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IS VERY SUCCESSFUL LONG TERM.

I WOULD BE ALIGNED WITH AND FOCUSED ON DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS WELL AT THE CAPITOL NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU GETTING ANY FEEDBACK AT THE DOOR ABOUT GUN LEGISLATION?

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS A REAL CONCERN ABOUT GUN CRIME.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE JUST SEEN THIS TRAGIC SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS WHERE YOU HAVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE OVERLAY WITH GUN CRIME.

AND IT'S SO DEVASTATING.

AND SO WHAT I HEAR FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE DAY AFTER DAY IS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE UNS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

THAT WAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY I THINK FOR LEADERSHIP FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I THINK SHE AILED.

AND I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON IS HOW DO WE AS AN OFFICE OF PROSECUTORS PUT PROACTIVE STRATEGIES IN PLACE THAT RECOGNIZE THAT DEADLY MIX BETWEEN FIREARMS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FIREARMS, REPEAT OFFENSES?

AND SO PEOPLE ARE ABSOLUTELY CONCERNED ABOUT GUN CRIME.

IT'S SOMETHING I'M REALLY EXCITED TO TAKE ON.

I'VE DONE THIS WORK BEFORE.

I TALK A LOT IN SOME OF THE PLANS I'VE PUT OUT ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO EMBED PROSECUTORS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT SO WE CAN SPEED UP OUR DECISION MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THESE GUN CRIMES.

>> Eric: WHAT DO HEY CALL IT?

SWALLOW THE GUN IN A PLEA BARGAIN NEGOTIATION WHERE THEY SAY WE'LL DEZ MISS THE GUN CHARGE.

AND I WONDER IF THE COURTS ARE TAKING THAT SERIOUSLY?

>> WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, BUT WHAT I'M HEARING AT THE DOORS, I'M THE AUTHOR OF THE EXTREME RISK PROTECTION LAW.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED, SHOULD HAVE BEEN PETITIONED FOR AT THE RECENT SHOOTING THE RECENT SHOOT SHOOTINGS AT TE FORMER LORING TOWERS.

AND WE DIDN'T USE A TOOL IN THAT.

BUT AS I LEARNED AS MORE INFORMATION WAS COMING OUT, WHEN YOU GET THAT INFORMATION AND HOW YOU SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

WE CREATED LAYERS IN THAT LAW.

FAMILY MEMBERS CAN PETITION FOR THESE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN PETITION FOR THESE.

THE CITY ATTORNEY.

THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE PETITION FOR THIS.

BUT IT ALSO WAS BASED ON WHEN THAT INFORMATION WAS GATHERED BECAUSE YOU NEED THAT THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

I'M NOT GOING TO POINT FINNING YES, YEYES, YEFINGERS.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS SOLUTION.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

IF IT'S CLOSE, YOU FILE IT, BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT DUE PROCESS WITHIN THIS LAW.

AND SO I'M FOCUSING ON WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WORKING WITH STAFF ON, WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?

DO YOU NEED MORE VECTORS SO YOU CAN FOLLOW UP AND GET HE INFORMATIONOR NEED?

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR OPINION OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT?

>> BSOLUTE DISASTER.

I DON'T RECOGNIZE IT.

IT'S HEART-BREAKING.

>> Eric: WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> POLITICS GOT INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND IT'S BEEN WEAPONIZED BY THE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS WEAPONIZED THIS TO TAKE ON HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES.

AND IT'S WHY WE NEED PROSECUTORS, FRANKLY, WHO ARE APOLITICAL AND ARE MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT'S BEST FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

AS SOMEBODY WHO SPENT YEARS OF MY LIFE PROSECUTING CASES FOR THIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, I TRULY DON'T RECOGNIZE IT AND IT HURTS.

>> Cathy: HOW WOULD YOU KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IF YOU WERE ITS LEADER?

>> FOCUSED ON THAT PUBLIC SAFETY MISSION.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT RHETORIC.

IT'S ABOUT RESULTS.

YOU FOCUS ON BRINGING THE RIGHT CASES AND BRINGING THE RIGHT CASES FOR THE RIGHT REASONS WHICH TO ME IS ALWAYS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Cathy: SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN KEEP POLITICS OUT OF IT, BUT YOU KEEP POLITICS AWAY FROM.

AND EVERYONE I TALK TO, I SAID I'M GOING TO KEEP THE POLITICS AWAY FROM YOU.

WE'RE BOTH HERE HAVING THIS DEBATE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO GET VOTERS TO VOTE US INTO THIS OFFICE.

IT IS POLITICAL BY NATURE.

BUT THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH EVERY SINGLE PARTNER, THAT YOU'RE BEING TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIBLE.

DECISIONS SHOULDN'T BE MADE ON A INSTRUCTLY BASED ON POLITICS.

BUT YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE SOME POLITICAL ACUMEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT I ROLE.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THAT AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY.

WHEN YOU WROTE IN AN OP-ED KIND OF LIFTING UP MARY MORIARTY, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE WASN'T A POLITICIAN.

THIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NEEDS TO BE RUN WITH ONE MISSION IN MIND.

PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT'S A NONPARTISAN RACE AND IT IS A RACE WHERE THE ONLY FOCUS SHOULD BE, ARE WE ELECTING WHO'S GOING TO MAKE THIS COUNTY SAFER FOR EVERYBODY?

AND WE DON'T WANT A POLITICIAN RUNNING THIS OFFICE.

>> THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLITICIAN AND HAVING POLITICAL ACRE YOU HAVING POLITICAL ACRE ACUMEN.

BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE PERSPECTIVE AND SEE THE WHOLE TABLE TO BRING THE RIGHT VOICES UNTIL RIGHT VOICES U VOICES IN THE RON WHEN THEY DISAGREE.

I HAVEN'T ONLY BEEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

I'VE ALSO BEEN A LABOR ATTORNEY FOR OVER A DECADE.

I'VE WORKED ON THE CIVIL SIDE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I'VE BEEN A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SO MY CAREER IS VERY BROAD.

VERIYED PERSPECTIVES AND IT RESONATES WITH VOTERS.

I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT MY RES IN RES RESUME.

WHAT MY OPPONENT NEVER TALKS ABOUT WHICH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, HIGH LEVEL APPOINTMENT UNDER TRUMP.

HE IS A CORPORATE DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

>> THAT IS A LIE.

>> HE IS LOOKING >> HE IS LOOKI LOOKING OUT FOR E BOTTOM LINE OF -- VOTERS ARE SAYING WE WANT SOMEONE WHO IS HERE WITH THE PEOPLE AND DEFENDING WORKING PEOPLE.

>> LET ME JUST RESPOND AND IT'S SUCH A POLITICIAN THING TO DO WHAT YOU JUST DID.

I NEVER WORKED IN AN APPOINTED POSITION UNDER ANY ADMINISTRATION OTHER THAN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THAT'S WHY I'M ENDORSED BY MAYOR FREY AND JOE BIDEN AND ANDY LUGER.

YOU'VE BEEN FACT CHECKED ON THIS BY THE "STAR TRIBUNE" AND THEY'VE CALLED YOU OUT.

THIS IS THE KIND OF POLITICS AS USUAL THAT PEOPLE ARE SO SICK OF.

WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS OUT OF THIS OFFICE THAT HAS TO BE -- >> LET ME ASK YOU DIRECTLY.

YOU WERE NOT THE NUMBER TWO IN THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE UNDER THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> I WAS THE SENIOR CAREER PROSECUTOR.

AND IF YOU DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE -- >> I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.

>> THEN YOU'RE EITHER MISREPRESENTING IT BLATANTLY.

>> SO LET'S BE CLEAR TO THE VOTERS.

YOU DID WORK IN THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> I DID NOT.

I WAS A CAREER PROSECUTOR, AND THAT IS NOT PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

>> PERIOD.

>> Cathy: WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU BOTH HOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COULD IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST A LITTLE STICKY OBVIOUSLY.

SO I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU, CEDRICK FRAZIER.

>> BY HAVING CONVERSATIONS, BY MEETING WITH THEM.

WHAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND WHEN I WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR POLICE CHIEFS AND OUR STAFF OFFICERS >> OFFICERS.

BUT JUST CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

WE HAD A ONE TO ONE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH HE MAJORITY OF THE POLICE CHIEFS FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY, AND ONE OF THE CHIEFS ASKED ME, HOW DO YOU GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT AND COMMUNICATE WITH MY LINE OFFICERS.

I SAID, INVITE ME OUT TO YOUR ROLL CALL.

THEY'LL HAVE ACCESS TO ME.

I'LL BE RESPONSIVE.

AND THAT'S HOW THEY'LL KNOW THEY'VE GOT A LEADER TO WORK CLOSELY TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> Cathy: AND YOU, MR.

FOLK.

>> YOU CHANGE DIRECTION COMPLETELY FROM THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

AND IT'S AND IT INTERESTING TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU ENDORSED ROBIN WONSLEY FOR MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL WHO HAS CALLED FOR DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AS SOMEBODY WHO'S PROSECUTED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, I KNOW THAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS CRITICAL, BUT TO BE A GOOD PARTNER, IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> LOOK, I'M ENDORSED BY A WIDE SWATH OF LEGISLATORS FROM ALL OVER THIS COUNTY AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ENDORSED ME IF THEY BELIEVED THE THINGS THAT THIS GUY JUST SAID.

SO I'M GOING TO STICK WITH THAT.

I'VE GOT THE RELATIONSHIPS.

I'VE GOT THE POLITICAL ACUMEN.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Eric: ANYTHING YOU MIGHT ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO DO IN THE 2027 SESSION IF YOU'RE ELECTED?

>> I THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN HELP ALL OF OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICES BY ENSURING THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATE FUNDING, AND BEYOND THAT, I'M EXCITED TO GET INTO THIS OFFICE AND MOVING IT FORWARD AND I AM EXCITED TO TAKE THESE 500-PLUS CIVIL SERVANTS AND MOVE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I'M THE ONLY LABOR ENDORSED CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE ND I RAISE THAT BECAUSE I'M NOT A CORPORATE DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

BUT WHAT I AM IS SOMEONE WHO BEEN FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES MY ENTIRE CAREER, AND THE AFSCME LOCAL THAT REPRESENTS ALL THE STAFF ARE VICTIM ADVOCATES, OWRL ATTORNEYS, OUR PARALEGALS, THEY HAVE ENDORSED THIS CAMPAIGN.

>> Eric: JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

HOW SAFE IS HENNEPIN COUNTY?

>> I THINK IT'S SAFE.

BUT I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER AND WE'VE GOT TO DO A LOT OF BETTER AND THERE'S CERTAIN POCKETS OF HENNEPIN COUNTY WHERE WE NEED TO DO A LOT, LOT BETTER.

BUT THIS IS NOT SOME DYSTOPIAN HELLSCAPE.

IT'S A GREAT COUNTY, IT'S A GREAT CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

ALL THE CITIES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY ARE WONDERFUL PLACES TO LEAVE.

BUT THERE ARE PLACES THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE.

THERE ARE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE GOT TO HAVE A COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVE THEIR BACK.

AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED A CHANGE?

>> Eric: IS IT SAFE UNTIL HENNEPIN COUNTY.

>> I AGREE IN GENERAL IT'S SAFE.

I USED TO LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE EVEN WHEN THOSE CRIME RATES GO DOWN.

>> Cathy: SAY, CRIME VICTIMS, REALLY QUICKLY, WHAT -- JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, WOULD YOU DO QUICKLY FOR CRIME VICTIMS THAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT?

>> PEOPLE CAN GO TO MY WEBSITE.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CRIME VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE'RE GOING TO CENTER OUR WORK ON CRIME VICTIMS.

IT'S WHAT I'VE DONE MY WHOLE CAREER.

>> I'M GOING TO ELEVATE THAT OFFICE.

HIGHER UP TO GIVE IT MORE VISIBILITY.

GIVE IT MORE RESOURCES AND I'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT CREATING A VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS ADVISORY BOARD TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE.

>> Eric: HOW FIRED UP IS THE CRIME ISSUE AMONG VOTERS?

REAL QUICK?

>> YES.

>> I WOULD SAY DEPENDS ON WHICH COMMUNITY YOU'RE IN.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT'S YOUR WEBSITE?

>> ANDERSFOLK.COM.

>> AND CEDRICKFRAZIER.COM.

>> CATHY: THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

QUICK NOTE FOR OUR STATEWIDE AUDIENCE BEFORE I HEAD OVER TO THE MONITOR FOR THE HISTORY PORTION OF THE SHOW.

WE WILL BE HOSTING A SERIES OF "ALMANAC" DEBATES BETWEEN NOW AND ELECTION DAY, INCLUDING THE TOP CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL AND FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ ♪ >> MY BACKGROUND IS PRIMARILY A BUSINESS BACKGROUND.

AND I'VE BEEN IN STATE SENATE FOR SIX YEARS.

PROBABLY THE STRONGEST FISCAL CONSERVATIVE THAT THERE WAS IN THE MINNESOTA STATE SENATE.

I WAS THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE TAXPAYERS' BILL OF RIGHTS.

I WANT TO GET RID OF THE DEATH TAX IN THIS STATE AND I WANT TO GET RID OF THE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX WHICH IS A MIDDLE CLASS TAX ENHANCEMENT AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO GET RID OF CAPITAL GAINS TAX IF I COULD.

SO I'M ALL GETTING RID OF TAXES.

>> CATHY: AS PROMISED, HERE I AM, NEXT TO THE BIG MONITOR AND READY FOR ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE SHOW.

IT IS MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

FOR TONIGHT'S QUERY, WE TRAVEL BACK TO THIS WEEK IN 1994.

SO LONG AGO THAT I WASN'T EVEN HOSTING THE SHOW YET.

AN "ALMANAC" GUEST TRAVELS FROM MORE THAN 100 MILES AWAY TO SIT AT THE TABLE HERE IN STUDIO "B."

HE OR SHE BRINGS ALONG A LARGE PROP AS PART OF A CONVERSATION.

THIS GUEST BOLDLY ANNOUNCES THAT THE "GOAL" IS TO SET A WORLD RECORD WHEN THE SCALE MODEL BECOMES LARGER THAN LIFE REALITY.

OUR QUESTION IS QUITE SIMPLE FOR YOU.

WHAT "BIG THING" WAS THE FOCUS OF THE "ALMANAC" CONVERSATION IN SEPTEMBER OF 1994?

EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN NAME THE GUEST OR THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE EVENTUAL WORLD RECORD.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM BIG SNOW LAKE, BLUE SNOW LAKE, OR SNOWBANK LAKE, LOCATED IN THE ARROWHEAD REGION OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES, RIGHT OR WRONG.

OR YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE AND LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE TALKING INSTEAD.

ALMANAC@MINNESOTAPBS.ORG IS OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

TODAY BACK IN 2000, THE TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR PERFORMED ON THE OLD "NEWSNIGHT MINNESOTA" PROGRAM.

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ ♪ >> >> ♪ WELL, WELL, WELL, YEAH ♪ ♪ SAID I WANT TO TAKE A TIME AND SAY THANK YOU, LORD ♪ ♪ FOR ALL ♪ ♪ ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR ME ♪ ♪ YEAH ♪ ♪ I WAS SITTING BACK THINKING ♪ ♪ HOW YOU BROUGHT ME THROUGH MY LIFE ♪ ♪ TEARS TARTED FILLING UP ♪ ♪ IN THE WELLS OF MY EYES ♪ ♪ HOW YOU WATCHED OVER ME ♪ ♪ WHEN I COULDN'T WATCH OVER MYSELF ♪ ♪ HOW YOU HEARD MY CRIES ♪ ♪ WHEN I COULDN'T CALL NO ONE ELSE ♪ ♪ HMM, YEAH ♪ ♪ SAID HE'S BEEN REAL GOOD TO ME ♪ ♪ YES, HE HAS ♪ ♪ HE HAS BEEN ♪ ♪ SO GOOD TO ME ♪ ♪ OH, YEAH ♪ ♪ LISTEN ♪ ♪ I THANK YOU FOR MY HOUSE ♪ ♪ THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD I EAT ♪ ♪ Captioned by: Veritext/Paradigm-Captioning Www.veritext.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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